Junichi Tazawa

Then delivering Uehara's lighthearted answer to a lighthearted question about what he thought about his longtime interpreter, C.J. Matsumoto, speaking in English, did the same.

"I think he's about to be fired," Uehara said through Matsumoto — about Matsumoto.

This easygoing rapport speaks volumes about why this partnership has prevailed through six seasons and two franchises. So does Matsumoto's initial reluctance to be interviewed about his intriguing past given that Uehara, too, comes across as humble upon first meeting.

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